Tuesday, April 27, 2010

For those of you who are not local or haven't been a reader of mine for very long, I hold several classes a month showcasing various projects that usually revolve around papercrafting. I love stamping and like to expand my customers options by highlighting projects that go beyond a stamp and stamp pad. Here is last night's class project....

The note pads can be thrown into your car, attached to your handbag or given away as gifts. The were fun and super easy to do. This is what they look like on the inside.....

Saturday, April 24, 2010

I don't know anything about Kelly Corrigan, but I can't seem to get her message out of my head about dreams. What are yours? Have you taken a risk and been successful at it? I would love to hear your stories!

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

I've been holding 5 for $5 Classes since mid 2007 and it's fun to go through and see what I've designed from the same time the year or two before. It's kind of like looking through old family photographs and seeing your evolving clothing and/or hairstyle choices only most of the card pictures are a little easier to look at!

April 2008

I've learned a lot about what my customers like and dislike and what makes my job easier. I've also learned to trust my first impression of my creations. If I like them, then most of the time the class participants will too.

April 2009

Thanks for stopping by and I hope your Wednesday is turning out to be fantastic!

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

I've had the instructions on how to make Becky Roberts Tote-ally Awesome Tote forever but never could find the time to make it. Actually, truth be told, I never made the time to make the tote. I can procrastinate like no one else! With Mother's Day coming up though, I thought this would make a perfect gift.

Cards and Envelopes Inside

Cards Alone

Cards, Bookmarks and Post It Note Holder

It has two sides....one with a large pocket on it and one with three smaller ones. I also made two bookmarks, four cards and a post it note holder that matches and slipped them into the tote. I love how it turned out and plan to make many many more.

Thanks Becky, for being so talented and sharing your awesome instructions with us!

Monday, April 12, 2010

When I first became a wife I couldn't cook a lick! I was young and thought I knew it all but quickly realized I was sorely mistaken. Poor Chris was lucky to get a frozen burrito thrown into the microwave after a long day at work! I've come a long way since then with the help of cookbooks, friends, websites and the Food Network and have developed some favorites that feel more like family than celebrities.

At the top my my list is Rachael Ray. Can I get an amen out there? This girl can cook! And I love that she's so down to earth and explains things in easy to understand terms. I love her laugh and her stories about her family and friends and wish that I lived in upstate New York and was her neighbor!

Tonight I'm trying out this recipe from Melissa's Heart and Home. If you have never been to Melissa's blog, you are missing out friends. Go and check her out, you'll be so glad you did! And in an effort to support my girl Rachel, I splurged at the grocery store and picked up some of her EVOO. I can't wait to try it!

Does anyone subscribe to Every Day with Rachael Ray? I have a friend that passes on her magazines to me. They are filled with stories, recipes, tips and tricks. I found these particularly interesting and thought I'd share them with you this morning....

1) Before you pull up to the drive thru window, do a quick count. If there will be more than three cars in line ahead of you, pull into the parking lot. It will be faster to order your food inside.

2) Think you may have blinked during a photo? Close your eyes and check what color the spot you see is. If it's white, you didn't blink. If it's red, you probably did and it's time for a do-over!

3) Before paying money for hot coffee. make sure it's from a fresh pot. If the cream swirls up brown, the coffee is fresh. If it swirls up gray, it's been sitting on the burner way too long.

Hope these tips help your Monday run a little smoother! I'm off to get my day officially started. Have a good week!